Mitt Romney is offering us a sketchy deal for the next four years, but Barack Obama is offering us a real deal. His deal is a balanced and practical plan, and his plan is already laying the base for an economy built to last.
First, Obama's plan limits greed and risk-taking while it opens opportunity for innovation and success.
The Dodd-Frank bill bans the risky practices of Wall Street and sets even stricter standards for the biggest banks. To eliminate the unreasonable administrative costs and profits of the health insurance companies, the Affordable Health Care Act requires companies to use at least 80 percent of collected premium dollars to provide actual medical care. If they don't, they must give rebates to their customers. Approximately 12.8 million Americans have received such a rebate this year. Obama championed small businesses by increasing loans available to them and by giving them tax breaks. In addition, his actions enabled the survival of the big automobile industry with its 1.4 million jobs.
Second, Obama's plan balances respect for the three Ps: people, place, and profit.
With such laws as the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, Obama upholds workers' rights and the principle of equal pay for equal work. Obama's policies have promoted production of our fossil fuels, but his administration is also making sure that environmental protections are in place. Taking a long view, Obama has used stimulus money to encourage the development of green energy and its many related jobs.
Third, Obama's plan invests in infrastructure for the good of both small and large businesses.
The American Reinvestment and Recovery Act built and repaired structures and strengthened civic services. In just our area, the funds went toward the projects of the Route 33 bypass around Nelsonville, Ohio, and the In-Synch Reporting System for the Wood County Sheriff's Department. To ensure that future workers will have the necessary skills for good-paying jobs, Obama doubled the Pell grant funds available to college students. Many students at local colleges have benefited from that increase.
These are just a few accomplishments of Obama's balanced, practical plan.
Obama has brought us back from the recession's brink and has started us on the path toward an economy built to last. Keep the United States moving forward. Vote for Obama. His deal is the real deal.
Martha McGovern
Williamstown
